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MINNICK: Trout hits the mainstream

Kevin Minnick, CHL
5:48 p.m. EDT July 16, 2014

American League outfielder Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, holds the MVP trophy after his team's 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Photo: Jeff Roberson ASSOCIATED PRESS)

American League outfielder Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, holds the MVP trophy after his team's 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Photo: Jeff Roberson ASSOCIATED PRESS)

American League outfielder Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, holds the MVP trophy after his team's 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Photo: Jeff Roberson ASSOCIATED PRESS)

American League outfielder Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, holds the MVP trophy after his team's 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Photo: Jeff Roberson AP)

Miguel Cabrera, of the Detroit Tigers, celebrates with Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, after hitting a home run during the first inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Photo: Jeff Roberson ASSOCIATED PRESS)

American League outfielder Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, holds the MVP trophy after his team's 5-3 victory over the National League in the MLB All-Star baseball game, Tuesday, July 15, 2014, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Photo: Paul Sancya ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels leaves the field after practice during workout day the day before the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Jerry Lai Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels greets members of the media on the field during workout day the day before the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Jerry Lai Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (right) of the Los Angeles Angels stands with infielder Jose Altuve (27) of the Houston Astros and designated hitter Jose Abreu (79) of the Chicago White Sox in the second round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Jeff Curry Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League infielder Miguel Cabrera (right) of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Scott Rovak Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League infielder Miguel Cabrera (24) of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by outfielder Mike Trout (27) of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run as National League catcher Jonathan Lucroy (right) of the Milwaukee Brewers takes off his mask in the first inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Jesse Johnson Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)

Debbie Trout was like a kid in a candy store, only this piece of bubble gum was unlike any other.

As Mike Trout answered a few questions from Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews, his mother's eyes were clearly focused on the silver Corvette parked on the infield dirt opposite the shiny white truck.

It was hard for Andrews not to notice Debbie's reaction at the moment. She was bouncing up and down, pointing to the convertible on the left with both hands.

She clearly wanted her son to take the sports car. Heck, he already owns a pretty nice truck.

Playing in his third All-Star Game, the Millville native had his choice of vehicles after being named the Midsummer Classic's Most Valuable Player. Was it going to be the Corvette or the Silverado?

With very little hesitation, Trout said he was going to take the car. But it was going to be for him.

"I've got first dibs," he said.

The car proved to be icing on the cake for baseball's young superstar and another sign that the torch is in the process of being passed.

It's still hard to believe that just five years ago, this young and extremely talented baseball player was hitting home runs for Millville High school. He was just a kid with big dreams.

But if you look at what he has done in the very short time he's been with the Los Angeles Angels, one can only imagine what the next 10 to 15 years can be like.

Trout was sensational in Tuesday night's game at Target Field in Minneapolis. While the spotlight was clearly on Yankees superstar Derek Jeter, and rightfully so, Trout played this game like he's played so many before.

"Wow ... What an unbelievable night can't thank the fans and my teammates enough for this experience!! #AllStarGame," he posted on his Twitter account.

Kobe Bryant congratulated him via Twitter. ESPN insiders Buster Olney and Jayson Stark were pumping out his stats all night.

Trout banged an RBI triple off the wall in right-center to score Jeter — his idol growing up — in the first inning, sliding headfirst into the third and popping up clapping and enjoying the moment.

In his third at-bat, he would double over the third-base bag to drive in what proved to be the game-winning run for the American League in its 5-3 victory.

While analysts went back and forth as to whether Jeter would or should be named the game's MVP, Trout certainly did his part to keep his name in the conversation.

In the three years he's been roaming the outfield with the Angels, Trout has done spectacular things. He has put up numbers unmatched by his peers, creating a buzz no one could have ever expected after he was drafted in the first round back in 2009.

He joins Ken Griffey Jr. as the only two players in All-Star Game history to be named MVP before age 23. And he joined Griffey and Ted Williams as the only players to collected two extra-base hits before turning 23.

"You're done? Twenty-two years old and you're done?" Jeter said after Trout was taken out after five innings.

"He wanted me to play nine innings," Trout said later on in the night. "He was messing around with me. It's all fun. It's special for me. Chills, goose bumps — you name it. Everything was running through my body."

For those who say they're tired of hearing and reading about Mike Trout, we're sorry. There's going to be a lot more said and a lot more written as the future unfolds.

Trouty has come out of his shell, so to speak, over the past couple of years but remains that humble and extremely thankful young man he's always been. It's highly unlikely you're ever going to get bulletin board material or outlandish comments that would stir the pot or create controversy out of his mouth.

If he's not already — and we believe he is — Trout is going to be the face of Major League Baseball. He's doing more commercials; he has his own signature cleat by Nike (just take a look at the rainbow trout color scheme). He is clearly in the spotlight and appears to be getting more and more comfortable with the attention.

"Let Mike be Mike. I don't think people have to necessarily appoint someone to a particular position," Jeter said when asked about passing the torch to Trout. "You know, if he continues to do the things that he's done, he has his head on right, he plays the game the right way, he plays hard. The challenge for him is going to be like the challenge for most people — to be consistent year in, year out.

"But Mike's going to be in a lot of All-Star Games. He already has the respect from players around the league. He's got a bright future ahead of him. I don't know how much better he can get. But if he consistently does what he's doing, then he will be here for a long time."

It wasn't all that long ago when kids were asked if they wanted to be like Mike. Roll the clock forward, and they're getting that chance once again.

Reach Kevin Minnick at kminnick@courierpostonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @cp_varsity